Education has been the cornerstone of Swami’s Divine mission – sculpting young minds with the mould of values, chiselling them into elegance with academic and spiritual rigour, and strengthening their foundation with the infinite love of the Divine Mother. Swami has put a lot of care and effort in preparing His young soldiers. The Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School has been an essential pillar in this Divine mission of Swami. Delivering Swami’s directive of “Higher Education”, the school has a remarkable history of academic excellence as well as cultural and athletic credentials.

And at the heart of all this are the teachers, the representatives of Swami in His esteemed institutions. As the dispensers of Swami’s brand of education, they have dedicated their lives to the pursuit of Swami’s mission. However, their role is not limited to this. As teachers, they are first-hand witnesses to the thousands of miracles that are experienced by students across generations, many a time being harbingers of life changing experiences and as such enjoying the sanctimonious joy of living with the Divine Master.

In this edition of Vidyullekha, we look behind the curtain into the experiences of the teachers in the Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School with their beloved Swami. We had the benefit of listening to Sri Satish Babu, Sri Sai Surendranath and Sri Prushti and revelling in the bounty of Swami’s love.

Vidyullekha: Sairam teachers! It is a great fortune for us alumni to have teachers from the Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School with us today. As teachers, you have chosen a family that infinitely surpasses the one society usually chooses. Embodying the Vedic direction of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, you have chosen to make your students your family. But more than that, you have literally been chosen to be the part of Swami’s family and serve as His foremost instruments.

In today’s session we’ll discuss your experiences as guardians of the Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School. I think we can start with the days in the old hostel. We have heard a lot about students getting great opportunities to interact with Swami during those golden days.

Sri Sai Surendranath: Those were the days when there was no music college or Chaitanya Jyothi. So, the boys hostel would see a lot of visits from Swami. Prior to every visit, He would ask Venkatachalam sir to prepare a grand lunch for all the boys. And every visit would end with His Divine Discourse – Swami essentially gave His boys food for body and mind.

Sri Satish Babu: Yes. Students had a wonderful time in the old hostel. There were many opportunities for close interactions with Swami. When I joined the hostel, Swami hosted the dinner for all new joiners and said that all the new students would dine with Him. All of us received a lot of love from Him that day. Swami would also visit the hostel every Christmas, since it is Hostel Day as well. That would again give the boys many opportunities to interact with Swami and partake His Loving Grace.

Vidyullekha: It is so heart-warming to imagine Swami interacting informally with His boys. I am sure many of our alumni will become nostalgic reminiscing those days. It was in 1995, I think, that the school boys moved to the current hostel. We have heard about the suspense and the surprise surrounding the incident. Can you tell us more about this story?

Sri Sai Surendranath: Before the junior boys hostel, the higher secondary boys used to share the hostel with the institute boys. They used to occupy C-floor and the left half of B-floor. So essentially 500 boys used to stay in the senior boys hostel. So there used to be a great rush everywhere, be it the dining hall, the fruit stall or the stores. All sessions used to happen in batches with the institute and school taking turns.

The idea for the new hostel came from the institute. They wanted to expand the courses offered and that would mean having more institute students in the hostel. After almost one-and-a-half years, in 1991, Swami finally gave His permission and the foundation for the new hostel was laid.

Sri Prushti: However, after the foundation was laid, no one was sure if the hostel was for the institute boys or the school boys. At that time I was pursuing M.Tech. The construction workers would come to our rooms for measuring cupboards. We found that the cupboards would be bigger in the new hostel and that there would be only six boys per room (compared to the 10-12 boys per room in the senior hostel!). So, speculation was rife about the new hostel. And during all this, the construction of the hostel was completed. Swami did throw some hints here and there. When He visited the new hostel, which was still under construction, Swami noticed that the railing for the stairs wasn’t fixed properly. He then told the workers to fix it properly because “small boys will be using the railings”.

Sri Sai Surendranath: Swami is always the Mastermind. He never allows anyone to guess His plans. The construction of the hostel got over just before Swami’s 70th Birthday. Swami used the new hostel to house foreign delegates who had come to Parthi for the celebrations. Once all the delegates had left, Swami made the announcement that the new hostel was for the school boys.

Vidyullekha: Swami does indeed enjoy putting us in tenterhooks and then delighting us with His bounty. What about Swami’s visits to the new hostel? Are there any incidents that are particularly close to your hearts?

Sri Prushti: There is one incident that I vividly remember. It was in 2002 and it was perhaps the last physical visit of Swami to the junior boys hostel. Our 10th and 12th standard boys had put up their gratitude program in front of Swami on 25th February. It was a nice program and at the end Swami called them and spoke to them for some time. The boys requested Swami to visit the hostel with all their love and devotion. And as if responding to their love, Swami told that He will come to the hostel the next day. The institute boys also asked Swami to visit the hostel. And Swami again replied that He will come tomorrow. Now the boys were confused – whether Swami will visit the institute hostel or the school hostel. So, the boys ended up asking Swami again, and this time Swami said that He will be coming to the school boys hostel.

However, Swami had told at 6:00PM that He will be visiting the hostel at 10:00AM. This kicked off the busiest 10-12 hours in the lives of these students! After Darshan all the students and teachers ran back to the hostel. All the hostel members spent the evening and the night cleaning and decorating the hostel. Buntings and flowers were brought out, Swami’s Jhoola was set up. And by 10:00 AM the next morning, the hostel was all dressed up for the impending visit of its Beloved Master. As the students waited for Swami with bated breaths, sharp at the promised hour, His car rolled into the hostel grounds. And both, the students and the teachers spent the most emotional and love filled 2-3 hours of their lives.

It was a dream come true – to be in the presence of the Divine Mother. It was a different charm to see Swami in His informal avatar. He went everywhere, from the dining hall to the rooms of the boys. Then there was a small session in the prayer hall where a few teachers and students spoke, followed by Swami’s talk. The session came to an end with a delicious lunch that Swami had pre-planned with the warden. The whole thing was such a surreal experience that no one could believe it had actually happened.

Vidyullekha: Speaking of surreal experiences with Swami, Babu sir, you had the blessed opportunity to prepare food for Swami. Can you tell us how it was to prepare food for the Lord of the Universe?

Sri Satish Babu: When I was a student, I used to see the senior boys preparing and serving food for Swami. And I used to crave for an opportunity to participate in this activity. But due to rules of the hostel, only the senior boys could be part of this group. Eventually when I became a senior, I became a part of that group. When we moved to the new hostel, we wanted to continue that tradition here as well. So, we approached Swami asking for the opportunity to send food for Swami. He very innocently replied, “Everyone sends food on Sunday. No one sends food for Swami on other days.” Therefore, we decided to send food for Swami on Thursdays.

But what made this opportunity so sacred was the efforts the students put into this. They would finish with their morning rituals by 6:00AM and would keep Maunam throughout the day as penance as they prepared food for Swami. The food sent to Swami contained all the love and dedication of these students. And Swami responded accordingly. He would often enquire about the boys preparing food for Him. Once the boys had made ‘Chilli Bhajji’ for Swami. During Darshan, while walking towards me, He looked at me and said “Hot” (intended to mean ‘very spicy’) with His lips. When the others asked him what happened, He then immediately changed the topic and told that it was a hot day. But I understood that it was Swami’s way of recognising the love and effort of all the boys.

Vidyullekha: Swami often gives students the most distinct and unique opportunities. Speaking of which, we have heard a lot about SUPW classes. What happened during these classes?

Sri Sai Surendranath: Earlier, in the CBSE curriculum, we had a subject called Socially Useful Productive Work or SUPW. This was a weekly class and students used to use this period for various Ashram-related activities. They used to roll Agarbattis during this class which was then sold to the devotees in the Mandir. They used to help pack Vibhuti packets which too would be sold in the Mandir. There was a shed between Easwaramma School and the Higher Secondary School buildings. The Sanathana Sarathi press used to be operating there. During the SUPW period, students would go there and help in folding, pinning and packing the magazines for delivery to devotees’ homes. And that is how the SUPW period was an opportunity for the students to serve Swami and do their bit.

Vidyullekha: Students have had multiple opportunities to offer their activities to Swami – SUPW, preparing food for Him, celebrating festivals with Him, and so on. Such experiences, and the joy that they bring, foster in students the tenacity to create chances. I’m referring to the planning around Board exam preparation holidays. Can you tell us about it?

Sri Sai Surendranath: When it comes to Swami, boys have always been very ingenious. Just before the Board exams, the students would beg teachers for study holidays. Feeling sad for the students, the teachers would give them two weeks holidays to prepare. These students would immediately then go to Swami and tell that “Swami we have study holidays. Can we come for morning Darshan?” Swami would benevolently agree. They would then come back and tell the teachers that Swami had called for morning Darshan. This way they would create their chances.

During morning Bhajans the number of devotees will be lower, since all the other students would be in classes. And so, these students would get all sorts of chances – ranging from Padanamaskars to family interviews. Many times students would seek guidance about their future careers. More and more time with their Swami was all they sought during their last days in school, and Swami would respond lovingly.

Sri Satish Babu: In the early days Swami would personally give the students their Hall Tickets with His picture, a pen and Vibhuti as well as an interview for the full batch! When my batch was in its final year, Swami gave all of us His photo to keep when preparing for exams. He also said, “While preparing keep talking with me and tell me all the answers. In the exam if you forget the answer, then just look at me and I will tell you the answer.” Even now we see Swami’s blessings for His students during exam times. 

The tradition of Hall Tickets slowly evolved to Swami blessing the certificates and the teachers then giving them to students individually. And during the last few years, the Hall Tickets are given to students in the school prayer hall with Swami’s blessings. About 2-3 years ago, when the Principal was distributing the Hall Tickets, there was a student who was meditating and praying to Swami to give His blessings to the students. When this student opens his eyes, lo and behold he sees our Beloved Swami in His white robe sitting on His chair and blessing each student as they walk up to take His Padanamaskar.

Vidyullekha: Swami is infinite in His blessings. But credit must also be given to the school boys for taking initiatives in order to earn His Grace. And I am sure they have taken the inspiration from their teachers.

Sri Sai Surendranath: Yes. There are many instances where the school has been part of or has initiated activities that have now become commonplace. Like Vedam Chanting. When Swami asked everyone to learn and chant Vedam, school was the first to start Vedam sessions during morning assembly every day. And when these boys went to the institute, slowly the practice picked up there as well.

School boys were also the first to perform Christmas Carols in front of Bhagawan. Earlier, only foreigners used to sing Carols in front Him on 24th and 25th December. Peter Drucker, a devotee from the US, asked Swami if he could teach some couplets to the students. This was in the late 1980s, and he used to come once a week to teach the students at the school. Then he asked Swami if the students could sing in front of Swami and Swami said yes. And it was then that Sailesh sir and I started teaching the students Christmas Carols. Those were the first years, so with a harmonium and tabla we used to practice Indianised versions of the Carols. Many times, when we would be practicing, Swami would come and listen to us practice and advise us.

The school students also put up the first Science exhibition in Parthi. One of the many attractions was a dart board. The boys made all guests shoot darts. When Swami came, they asked Swami also to shoot darts. Swami very innocently asked the boys what to do, how to shoot and so on. Then He picked up a dart and threw it… bang! It hit right in the center of the board.

At the next table was a Burglar alarm exhibit. The boys were explaining to the guests how, upon activation of the trigger, a light and bell-based alarm would go off. When Swami came, the boy put his hand through the door to activate the trigger and the alarm rang. However, when Swami put his hand through the door, the alarm didn’t go off. Surprised, the boys immediately checked all the wires and tested it again. Once they confirmed that it was working, they asked Swami to try again. Swami put his hand through the door and again the bell didn’t ring. Swami then asked one of the other guests to test the exhibit. The alarm rang this time. It seemed the alarm was not working only for Swami. Swami then smiled and told everyone, ‘The alarm works only for thieves. I am not a thief.’ Sweet, short and subtle, our chita chora is!

Further, the Teacher’s Sports Meet was first started by the school. This was in 1984 when I had just joined the school. At that time the tradition was that the students used to make a card and teachers would officially invite Swami for the event. It was morning Darshan when we offered the card to Swami and invited Him. Swami said, “So the students are performing the Sports Meet. You teachers are not doing anything?” Surprised by the question, I asked, “Swami, what?” Swami again asked, “No Sports Meet for teachers?” So, I said, “If Swami gives permission, we will have Sports Meet for teachers also.” Swami immediately replied, “Oh! You will have a teacher’s Sports Meet also? When will you have it?” I said, “Swami, whenever you say.” And Swami says, “Have it today. I will finish my lunch after Bhajans and come to see the Teacher’s Sports Meet.”

At 9:15AM in the morning Swami told us that He was coming to see the Teacher’s Sports Meet at 10:30AM! We darted to the hostel and had an emergency meeting to decide what all events to put up in front of Swami. We had to decide events that all the teachers could take part in. After a lot of deliberation, we decided to have Lime-and-spoon Race, Sack Race, Three-legged Race, Running Race, Relay and Pot breaking. We immediately got all the necessary materials ready. Swami came as promised and thus we became part of the first ‘Teacher’s Sports Meet’. Swami enjoyed the whole event immensely. I especially remember the pot breaking event; it was beautiful to see Swami laughing gleefully with abandon. The whole event was such a success that in the evening the institute teachers started asking for an opportunity to have a Teacher’s Sports Meet.

Vidyullekha:  Wow! That must have been such an enthralling experience. The life of both students and teachers is full of such fun-filled events when Swami is involved. With all these activities, how have the students always managed to shine in exams? We are consistently ranked among the top schools of the country. How do we balance academics, extra-curricular activities and character building – the essence of Swami’s value-based education?

Sri Sai Surendranath: In our school, we focus on the student; trying to see and bring out what the student can be, instead of just going by what the student can do. While other places treat education as a ‘commodity’, for us the student is our product and that’s where our focus lies. The entire student experience, from sweeping rooms to managing stores and the audio-visual centre, is designed to mould you into better versions of yourselves. That is why we are Sathya Sai “Higher” Secondary School.

Sri Prushti: The atmosphere in the school is conducive for all-round development. The lack of distractions leads to increased focus in every activity. And that is why with limited time investment, our boys are able to bring great results in all national level examinations. There is also the inherent belief in Swami that helps students surpass their limits in exams and competitions. For example, we have this tradition of having Bhajans before exams. This not only dispels the pre-exam stress brewing in one’s mind, but also focuses the mind on God, which fosters the belief that He will take care. Through both mental and spiritual impact, a small 10-15 minute Bhajan session actually pushes the performance of students by leaps and bounds.

Vidyullekha: And it is Swami, Swami and Swami all the way – the true value of this system is immeasurable. Students are transformed into ideal instruments in His overarching mission of transforming humanity. And, to a large degree, the teachers oversee and ensure this transformation. One statement from an alumni drama that comes to mind is: “Swami is the Master Sculptor and all the teachers are His instruments delivering the pain”. How do you see yourselves as such instruments of Swami?

Sri Sai Surendranath: Ha ha! ha We teachers are not delivering any pain. As you have rightly said it’s His system that is responsible for all the transformation. And He does it subtly, but surely. We just fall into His plan. In 1986-87, Swami asked the Principal to take in two students, one from Telugu Medium and the other from Tamil Medium. The Principal was apprehensive given that our school is English Medium in imparting education, he didn’t think the students would be able to adjust. But Swami insisted and we took them in for the Commerce stream. It took a lot of effort from us teachers, we made simple notes for them, helped them prepare for exams. With all the love and encouragement, they both passed their 12th exams with distinction. They are currently holding esteemed positions in two universities. And that was all because of Swami and His system, that brought out the best out of them.

Sri Prushti: And the best part is that this change stays with our boys for the rest of their lives and manifests unconsciously. And that is the basis of Swami’s teaching “Education is for life and not for mere living”.

Sri Satish Babu: He ensures that the system and its values are carried forward in the ideal manner. We are just playing roles, our fears and worries are all taken care of by Him. Some years ago, I would go to the Warden and ask him to hire some new staff for the school to take over some responsibilities. But things kept getting postponed. And then we suddenly needed new staff urgently. And that’s where we had Swami again show us that it was His school, and He was taking care of everything. PhD scholars and Graduates from our institute were interested in joining our school staff. Some had personal interest in doing so, others had been directed by Swami in a dream or otherwise; a lot of fresh faces have joined the staff in recent years. Their enthusiasm and love for Swami and His work is beautiful for us to see.

Vidyullekha: Every conversation about Swami pushes the limits of our belief in all that He can accomplish purely by His will. And like every conversation about Swami, we don’t want this conversation to end…

Thank you dear teachers, for giving us your time and diving down memory lane to tell us these enthralling Leelas of our Divine Mother. We sincerely hope we can have a part two of this discussion sometime soon!

Jai Sairam!